Liverpool, Bayern’s defensive weaknesses left unexploited

Both Liverpool’s and Bayern Munich’s defensive acumen was questioned ahead of Tuesday’s clash. Both stepped up and delivered a shut out.

A 0-0 draw was surprising given the high-paced nature of Tuesday’s Champions League round of 16 match between Liverpool and Bayern Munich, but it was no less than either team deserved.

Both played to their own strengths, and more importantly protected their own weaknesses — specifically in defense.

For Liverpool, it was the unfamiliar pairing of Joel Matip and Fabinho at center-back, while for Bayern it was the regression and inconsistency of their defenders.

Liverpool protected their weaknesses through a high press, preferring to win the ball in the midfield before Bayern could advance.

Bayern, meanwhile, lined up with two defensive midfielders to shield Mats Hummels and Niklas Sule.

Often in the league, Bayern play a 4-1-4-1 with Thiago distributing from defensive midfield, and Leon Goretzka and James Rodriguez ahead of him. On Tuesday, they lined up in a 4-2-3-1, with Javi Martinez and Thiago playing in a double pivot. This matched against Liverpool’s 4-3-3 man-for-man. Rodriguez, in the attacking role, marked Jordan Henderson while Thiago and Javi Martinez picked up the deep runs from Naby Keita and Giorginio Wijnaldum.

Thiago and Javi Martinez did a fantastic job protecting a Bayern defense that has been often lackluster this season. Between back pressing players and tracking runs, the pair allowed Sule and Hummels to do the majority of their defensive work either in the air or as a covering defender.

Liverpool struggled to break down the six defensive-minded players on Bayern when in possession consistently, and created their best chances when counter pressing. Henderson, Fabinho and Trent Alexander-Arnold made some crucial tackles, dispossession their counterparts when it seemed Bayern were about to break on the counter.

The Liverpool attackers showed flair and energy by combining around the Bayern box, but the Bayern defense did well enough to clog lanes and force shots from wide angles.

When Bayern did break through, however, the pace of Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman created openings. The two wingers showed flashes of brilliance but were often just slightly lacking on the final pass. Likewise, Rodriguez lacked the sharpness that we’ve become accustomed to with him. His shooting and passing appeared rushed, and he couldn’t get into pockets of space or get any time on the ball.

Some of the best chances in the first half came from winning the ball high up the field. Both keepers and sets of defenders were over-confident in playing out of the back.

By the second half, Bayern slowed down on their press, while Liverpool stepped up their own. Bayern struggled to get out of their defensive third in the later stages of the match, yet Liverpool couldn’t convert on the last shot or pass.

Both teams did have opportunities to score, but not enough clear cut ones. Liverpool had more, with 15 to Bayern’s nine, but could only muster two on target.

Mane specifically had a couple close range chances after a few deflections landed at his feet, but otherwise most of the opportunities were from difficult areas or well defended.

With this result, Bayern will need to win at home in the return leg or draw 0-0. They would have hoped to nab an away goal, but preventing Liverpool from scoring at Anfield is an accomplishment in itself.

The fact that Liverpool have lost all three away matches this season in the Champions League will be even more appealing to Bayern fans, who haven’t had a lot to celebrate this season until now.